Scottish Government approve Aikengall IIa wind farm plan

Economy Secretary Keith Brown has now granted planning consent for the development near Cockburnspath after Scottish Borders Council refused believing it would “unacceptably harm” the Borders landscape

The Scottish Government has approved plans for the 19-turbine Aikengall IIa wind farm development in the Lammermuir Hills.

Scottish Borders Council voted against the revised scheme in March 2015, despite its planning officers advising approval after the developers cut the number of turbines from 27 to 19.

Councillors voted against the scheme believing its proximity to the Aikengall 1 wind farm in neighbouring East Lothian would “unacceptably harm” the Borders landscape.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown has now granted planning consent for the development near Cockburnspath having agreed with the findings of the Public Local Inquiry Reporters.

He said: “Once operational, the Aikengall IIa wind farm will generate up to £9.4 million in community benefit, while producing enough electricity to power almost 35,000 homes and bringing jobs and investment to local communities.

“Renewable energy sources generated more than 56 per cet of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2015, helping support our world-leading ambitions to become a low-carbon economy.

“The growth of onshore wind in recent years has been a key factor in the expansion of renewable energy in Scotland: creating jobs, providing secure and low-carbon energy and delivering significant local benefits.”